FRANKE TO STEP DOWN AS W&L'S MEN'S TENNIS COACH

May 26, 2000

LEXINGTON, Va. -- Washington and Lee Athletic Director Mike
Walsh has announced that head wrestling and men's tennis coach Gary
Franke will relinquish his duties as tennis coach. He will remain
as the University's head coach of wrestling and assume additional
responsibilities in teaching physical education courses and in game
management.

David Detwiler, who serves as the director of W&L's
Duchossois Tennis Center and has assisted both the men's and
women's tennis programs, will replace Franke as head coach.

"I'm proud to have led the men's tennis program at W&L for
so long," said Franke. "I will always cherish the memories, but
it's time to move on. I feel very good about leaving the program in
David's hands and believe that he will continue to move the program
forward."

Franke steps down after coaching the men's tennis program for 22
seasons, posting a school-record 213 career wins. He led the
Generals to 18 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships,
including 10 straight from 1985-94, and earned ODAC Coach of the
Year honors nine times.

Franke's teams were also highly successful on the national
level, finishing in the Top 10 on nine occasions, culminating in
the 1988 Division III National Championship. He was named the ITA
Division III Coach of the Year in 1987 after leading the Generals
to their second-straight National Runner-up finish. All told,
Franke coached 13 singles and 23 doubles players to All-American
status.

Franke was also an instrumental member in the development of the
Duchossois Tennis Center, W&L's four-court indoor tennis
center.

"I'd like to thank Coach Franke for his efforts in establishing
Washington and Lee men's tennis as a regional and national
program," said Walsh. "He has set high standards for our players
and has brought much acclaim to the University."

Detwiler, a 1988 graduate of Furman University, is finishing his
third full year with the University. During that time he was
responsible for overseeing the tennis center and has assisted both
the men's and women's tennis programs.

Prior to arriving at W&L, Detwiler spent the previous eight
years as the tennis director at Shadow Oaks Racquet Club in
Greenville, S.C.

At Furman, Detwiler was a two-time Southern Conference champion
in singles and a three-time SoCon champion in doubles. He served as
team captain and was named Team MVP his senior season.

"David has made an outstanding contribution to the University
and local tennis community during his three years," Walsh
commented. "We are pleased to be able to offer him this opportunity
to direct the men's tennis program and maintain the level of
success the program has acheived."